Services offered by WVDRC include:

Mediation

• Mediation is a peaceful alternate means of conflict resolution, where disputes can be settled satisfactorily without going to court.
• It is a voluntary and confidential process that allows the parties to manage the resolution of their own dispute.
• In this process two professionally trained and certified neutral mediators sit down with two or more people to help find win-win solutions to their conflict.
• The mediators guide the participants through a process that helps them to first identify their issues and then generate their own solutions.
• The mediators do not judge and make no decisions.
• When agreement has been reached, a Settlement Agreement can be written or it can be kept as a verbal agreement.
• When a Settlement Agreement has been written and signed, it becomes a legally binding contract.

Conciliation

• Conciliation is a peaceful alternate means of conflict resolution, where disputes can be settled satisfactorily without going to court.
• A voluntary and confidential process dealing with a rather simple single issue conflict.
• This process also allows the parties to manage the resolution of their own dispute.
• Conciliation is a mediated telephone negotiation in which the conciliator acts as an impartial go-between and facilitator. The conciliator usually speaks with each person separately by phone.
• Conciliations can result in informal verbal agreements, a legally binding written settlement agreement, or they can lead to more formal mediation sessions.

Facilitation

• The DRC assists businesses, agencies, and groups of all types use a peaceful means to
  • work through disagreements,
  • adjust to change,
  • improve efficiency, or
  • obtain public input on important issues.
• Facilitators
  • work with group leaders in advance of the facilitation to develop an appropriate plan, then
  • the facilitator guides the meetings; helping to generate the most workable solutions.

Training and Community Education Programs

Conflict is a normal part of life every day. Our trainings offer you, educators, community leaders, counselors, human resources staff, managers, parents, teens, and all interested parties an opportunity to develop conflict resolution and/or mediation skills.

The courses are highly interactive with a mixture of lecture, discussion, demonstration and participant role-playing with feedback from instructors and peers.

For Organizations and Businesses

• WVDRC provides training in conflict resolution skills to improve communication and conflict resolution capabilities. These trainings are designed to present the concepts, philosophy, and skills needed for a working knowledge of conflict and peaceful resolution.

For Individuals

• WVDRC also provides training in mediation theory and skills to anyone interested in acquiring the skills for use in their own personal or professional life, and to all who wish to be among the pro bono (volunteer) certified mediators used to staff WVDRC mediation sessions. This training covers the philosophy, concepts, and skills needed for a working knowledge of the role of a third party neutral mediator. These skills are highly transferable, helping to improve communication and enhance relationships at home, in the workplace, and in the community at large.

Custom Training

• Training in all areas of Conflict Skills is available to suit the needs of your organization. Call for information and availability.